TV The Best Korean Dramas of All Time

As seen in the new and latest Korean dramas, there are always things to expect from K-dramas: The boy that you love and think is your soulmate? Long lost brother. Oh, you grew up so poor and had to take any and all dirt jobs? Turns out you are the kidnaped daughter of the richest family in Korea. The "plain" girl always gets the hot rich guy and his hot rich fiance always ends of crying. This list can go on and on, but one thing is for sure, Korean drama TV series are full of these tropes and this list ranks the best of these Korean television shows.

From shows like My Love from the Star and I Hear Your Voice, there are tons of great dramas coming from Korean television and the entertainment industry in Korea. However ridiculous the plot twists may be, Korean drama lovers know to expect this kind of juice from these best Korean dramas. Featuring your favorite Korean stars like Gong Yoo, Kim Soo-hyun, Park Shin-hye, Song hye-ko, Song Joong-ki, Jun Ji-hyun, and more, these must watch K-dramas include Korean comedies, romance fantasy shows, and crime thrillers.

The good Korean dramas on this list feature actors from Korea and some of the best Korean actors and actresses on television. Do you have a favorite from this list of top Korean dramas? Find it below and vote it up.

list ordered by

1

5,547 2,619

wowww added Master's SunGong Hyo-jin, So Ji-sub, Seo In Guk Master's Sun is a 2013 South Korean television series starring Gong Hyo-jin and So Ji-sub. The horror-romantic comedy is written by the Hong Sisters, and aired on SBS from August 7 to October 3, ...more

2

9,160 2,192

My Love From The StarJun Ji-hyun, Kim Soo-hyun, Park Hae-jin My Love from the Star (SBS, 2013) is a South Korean television series directed by Jang Tae-yoo. The show follows an alien (Kim Soo-hyun) who landed on Earth in the Joseon Dynasty and, 400 years ...more

3

3,188 1,719

The Moon That Embraces The SunHan Ga-in, Kim Soo-hyun Moon Embracing the Sun is a 2012 South Korean television drama series, starring Kim Soo-hyun, Han Ga-in, Jung Il-woo and Kim Min-seo. It aired on MBC from January 4 to March 15, 2012 on ...more

4

4,198 1,830

Secret GardenJi-won Ha, Hyun Bin, Sang-Hyun Yoon Secret Garden is a 2010 South Korean television drama, starring Ha Ji-won, Hyun Bin, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Kim Sa-rang. It aired on SBS from November 13, 2010 to January 16, 2011 on Saturdays and ...more

5

5,619 1,692

PinocchioLee Jong-suk, Park Shin-hye, Kim Young-kwang Pinocchio (SBS, 2014) is a South Korean television series directed by Jo Soo-won and Shin Seung-woo. A reporter with a secret past (Lee Jong-suk) and an ambitious journalist with an unusual ...more

6

7,779 2,863

Boys Over FlowersKim So-eun, Ku Hye-sun, Kim Hyun-joong Boys Over Flowers is a 2009 South Korean television series starring Ku Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Bum, Kim Joon and Kim So-eun. It aired on KBS2 from January 5 to March 31, 2009 on ...more

8

3,397 1,493

I Hear Your VoiceLee Jong-suk I Can Hear Your Voice is a 2013 South Korean television series starring Lee Jong-suk, Lee Bo-young, and Yoon Sang-hyun. It aired on SBS from June 5 to August 1, 2013, on Wednesdays and Thursdays ...more

9

5,448 1,241

yasssjessyasss added HealerJi Chang-wook, Park Min-young, Yoo Ji-tae Healer (KBS2, 2014) is a South Korean television series directed by Lee Jung-sub and Kim Jin-woo. A decades-old incident involving a group who ran an illegal pro-democracy broadcasting station ...more

10

3,179 1,510

The 1st Shop of Coffee PrinceYoon Eun-hye, Gong Yoo, Lee Sun-kyun The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince is a 2007 South Korean television drama, starring Yoon Eun-hye, Gong Yoo, Lee Sun-kyun, and Chae Jung-an. Based on the novel of the same name written by Lee Sun-mi, ...more

11

3,238 1,673

It's Okay, That's LoveIn-seong Jo, Hyo-jin Kong, Ha-ra Goo It's Okay, That's Love is a 2014 South Korean television series starring Jo In-sung, Gong Hyo-jin, Sung Dong-il, Lee Kwang-soo and Do Kyung-soo. It aired on SBS from July 23 to September 11, ...more

13

3,097 1,599

Dream HighBae Suzy, IU, Park Ji-yeon Dream High is a South Korean television series broadcast by KBS2 in 2011. It features miss A's Suzy, Kim Soo-hyun, T-ara's Eunjung, IU, and 2PM's Taecyeon and Wooyoung. The drama was popular ...more

14

3,766 1,485

City HunterPark Min-young, Lee Min-ho, Lee Kwang-soo City Hunter is a 2011 South Korean television drama series based on the Japanese manga series City Hunter written and illustrated by Tsukasa Hojo, starring Lee Min-ho, Park Min-young, Lee ...more

15

6,330 1,833

The HeirsPark Shin-hye, Krystal, Lee Min-ho The Heirs, also known as The Inheritors, is a South Korean television series starring Park Shin-hye, Lee Min-ho, and Kim Woo-bin. Written by Kim Eun-sook, the trendy drama is set in a high ...more

16

1,659 1,337

Sungkyunkwan ScandalPark Min-young, Yoochun, Song Joong-ki Sungkyunkwan Scandal is a 2010 South Korean fusion historical drama about a girl who disguises herself as a boy while attending Sungkyunkwan, the Joseon Dynasty's highest educational institute, ...more

17

1,841 1,288

School 2013Jang Na-ra, Lee Jong-suk, Kim Woo-bin School 2013 is a 2012 South Korean television series starring Jang Nara, Choi Daniel, Lee Jong-suk and Kim Woo-bin. The teen drama depicts the struggles and dilemmas that modern-day Korean youth ...more

18

2,252 1,228

Fated to Love YouWang Ji-won Fated to Love You is a 2014 South Korean television series starring Jang Hyuk, Jang Na-ra, Choi Jin-hyuk and Wang Ji-won. It aired on MBC from July 2 to September 4, 2014 on Wednesdays and ...more

19

3,233 1,140

Alinaire Panergo added She Was PrettyHwang Jung-eum, Park Seo-joon, Go Joon-hee She Was Pretty (MBC, 2015) is a South Korean television series directed by Jung Dae-yoon. Once pretty and popular, Hye-jin (Hwang Jung-eum) is now poor and homely, and working under the handsome ...more

20

2,468 1,413

Emergency CoupleSong Ji-hyo, Choi Jin-hyuk, Lee Pil-mo Emergency Couple is a 2014 South Korean television series starring Song Ji-hyo, Choi Jin-hyuk, Lee Pil-mo, Choi Yeo-jin and Clara. It aired on cable channel tvN from January 24 to April 5, 2014 ...more

23

3,576 767

While You Were Sleeping is a 2017 South Korean television series starring Lee Jong-suk, Bae Suzy, Lee Sang-yeob, Jung Hae-in and Ko Sung-hee. The series is directed by Oh Choong-hwan and written by Park Hye-ryun. It aired on SBSfrom September 27 to November 16, 2017 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 22:00 (KST) time slot for 32 episodes. A young woman with bad premonition dreams meets two people who suddenly develop the same ability. Nam Hong Joo (Suzy) lives with her mother, Yoon Moon Sun (Hwang Young Hee), a widow who runs a small restaurant. Jung Jae Chan (Lee Jong Suk), a rookie prosecutor, and his younger brother, Seung Won (Shin Jae Ha), move in across the street. Since she was young, Hong Joo has had the ability to see bad events before they happen, but she is often unable to do anything about it.

While You Were Sleeping is a 2011 South Korean television series starring Lee Chang-hoon, Choi Won-young, Oh Yoon-ah and Lee Young-eun. The daily drama aired on SBS on Mondays to Fridays at ...more

24

6,383 840

Shaiy Samantha added Strong Woman Do Bong SoonPark Bo-young, Park Hyung-sik, Ji Soo Strong Woman Do Bong-soon (JTBC, 2017) is a South Korean television series directed by Lee Hyung-min. Born with superhuman strength, Do Bong-soon (Park Bo-young) becomes the bodyguard of a rich, ...more

25

2,869 379

Kim Young-ho, a.k.a. John Kim, is a personal trainer to Hollywood stars. Despite his family's wealth, Young-ho suffered a devastating illness in his childhood. But he believes living a healthy lifestyle and exercise is the only way to survive. He uses this to run from his family issues. His fear of his father and pity for his grandmother. A Hollywood scandal with an actress has him on the run back to Korea.

Kang Joo-eun was once an ulzzang in her teens, semi-famous for her pretty face and enviable figure. Now a 33-year-old lawyer, she has gained a lot of weight since. She passes out on a flight from the U.S. back to Korea and John Kim is the only medical personnel on the flight who takes charge. He watches out for her even after they arrive home. After getting dumped by her boyfriend, Im Woo Shik, she finds that she has the press pass for John Kim and proceeds to (blackmail) convince him to help her lose the weight.

She discovers that Young Ho has a weakness for being a knight in shining armor. She moves in with him, Ji Woong and Joon Sung (Korean Snake), after a stalking incident causes her to sell her apartment. As they work on her physical transformation, both discover they feel more for each other than what they will admit. As they grow closer they heal each other's emotional wounds and fall in love

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh_My_Venus

26

3,291 1,664

Playful KissKim Hyun-joong, Jung So-min, Lee Si-young Playful Kiss is a 2010 South Korean romantic-comedy television series, starring Jung So-min and Kim Hyun-joong. It aired on MBC from September 1 to October 21, 2010 on Wednesdays and Thursdays ...more

27

2,518 1,271

My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed FoxPark Shin-hye, Shin Min-a, Hyomin My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox is a 2010 South Korean romantic comedy television series starring Lee Seung-gi and Shin Min-ah. It aired on SBS from August 11 to September 30, 2010 on ...more

28

4,992 799

jinxiecat added Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin)Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (tvN, 2016), also known as Goblin, is a South Korean television series. Goblin and protector of souls, Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) seeks a human bride to end his ...more

29

4,728 1,032

afragano added The Legend of the Blue SeaLee Min-ho, Jun Ji-hyun The Legend of the Blue Sea (SBS, 2016) is a South Korean television series directed by Jin Hyuk and Park Seon-Ho. Inspired by a classic Joseon legend from Korea's first collection of unofficial ...more

30

7,563 1,140

Descendents of the SunSong Joong Ki, Song Hye-Kyo Descendants of the Sun (KBS2, 2016) is a South Korean television series directed by Lee Eung-bok and Baek Sang-hoon. Finding themselves in the middle of great events and dangers, Captain Yoo ...more

31

1,827 1,265

The Innocent ManMoon Chae-won, Park Si-yeon, Song Joong-ki The Innocent Man, is a 2012 South Korean television series. Starring Song Joong-ki, Moon Chae-won and Park Si-yeon, it is a dark melodrama involving betrayal, revenge and romance. It aired on ...more

32

2,324 1,275

HeartstringsYong-hwa Jung, Shin-Hye Park, Chang-ui Song Heartstrings is a 2011 South Korean television series starring Park Shin-hye and Jung Yong-hwa. It aired on MBC from June 29 to August 19, 2011 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 15 ...more

33

2,170 1,154

Personal PreferenceLee Min-ho, Ahn Suk-hwan, Park Hae Mi Personal Taste is a 2010 South Korean television series, starring Son Ye-jin and Lee Min-ho. It is adapted from Lee Se-in's 2007 novel of the same name about a furniture designer, Park Kae-in, ...more

34

4,931 942

Trishnadahal added W - Two WorldsLee Jung Suk, Han Hyo-Joo W (MBC, 2016) is a South Korean television series. When her comic artist father goes missing, a surgeon (Han Hyo-joo) gets pulled into the fictional world inside a webtoon where she meets the ...more

35

1,748 1,011

Good DoctorMoon Chae-won, Joo Won, Joo Sang-wook Good Doctor is a 2013 South Korean medical drama television series starring Joo Won, Moon Chae-won, Joo Sang-wook, Chun Ho-jin, Kwak Do-won and Ko Chang-seok. It aired on KBS2 from August 5 to ...more

36

2,419 1,072

Full HouseSong Hye-kyo, Rain, Han Eun-jung Full House is a 2004 South Korean television series starring Song Hye-kyo, Rain, Han Eun-jung and Kim Sung-soo. Based on the manhwa Full House by Won Soo-yeon, the romantic comedy series aired ...more

37

1,311 1,085

anjseu added Gu Family BookSung-ha Jo, Hye-Young Jung, Hee-won Kim Gu Family Book is a 2013 South Korean television series starring Lee Seung-gi and Suzy. The fusion martial arts action historical drama is about a half man-half monster who is searching for a ...more

38

3,304 789

CzarinaQuerubin added I'm Not A Robot‎Chae Soo-bin, Yoo Seung-ho

Kim Min-kyu (Yoo Seung-ho) lives an isolated life due to a severe allergy to other people. He develops extreme rashes that rapidly spread throughout his body once he makes any form of skin contact. Jo Ji-ah (Chae Soo-bin) is a woman who is trying to make it in life by creating her own businesses. However, after an encounter with Min-kyu, she ends up pretending to be a robot in place of the supposed Aji 3 robot. The Aji 3 robot was developed by Ji-ah's ex-boyfriend, professor Hong Baek-kyun (Um Ki-joon) and his team. The robot was meant to be tested by genius Min-kyu, however an accident caused the robot's battery to malfunction. As Baek-kyun modeled the robot after Ji-ah, the team ends up recruiting her to take the place of Aji 3.

39

1,616 1,037

Reply 1997Jung Eun-ji, Eun Ji-won, Seo In Guk Reply 1997 is a 2012 South Korean television series that centers on the lives of six friends in Busan, as the timeline moves back and forth between their past as 18-year-old high schoolers in ...more

40

2,156 1,068

Princess HoursYoon Eun-hye, Ji-hyo Song, Lee Yoon-ji Princess Hours is a 2006 South Korean romantic comedy television series, starring Yoon Eun-hye, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Jeong-hoon and Song Ji-hyo. It is based on Korean manhwa Goong by Park So-hee. It ...more

42

2,394 825

afragano added Love in the MoonlightPark Bo-gum, Kim Yoo-jung Love in the Moonlight (KBS2, 2016) is a South Korean television series based on the novel by Yoon Yi-Soo. A coming of age story about Crown Prince Lee Yeong's (Park Bo-gum) growth from a boy to ...more

43

2,525 1,001

nae-nae added Doctor StrangerJong-Suk Lee, Se-Yeon Jin, Ho-jin Chun Doctor Stranger is a 2014 South Korean television series starring Lee Jong-suk, Park Hae-jin, Jin Se-yeon and Kang So-ra. It aired on SBS from May 5 to July 8, 2014 on Mondays and Tuesdays at ...more

44

1,500 1,255

Flower Boy Next DoorPark Shin-hye, Kim Ji-hoon, Yoon Shi-yoon Flower Boys Next Door is a 2013 South Korean romantic comedy television series based on the webtoon by Yoo Hyun-sook titled "I Steal Peeks At Him Every Day". It stars Park Shin-hye as ...more

46

1,666 1,051

_kami123 added BloodAhn Jae-Hyeon Ku Hye-Sun Ji Jin-Hee Blood is a 2015 South Korean television series about a doctor specializing in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery in the best cancer research hospital in the country who is also a vampire.

47

2,004 1,025

MinsulChoi added To the Beautiful YouSulli, Choi Min-ho, Hwang Kwanghee To the Beautiful You is a 2012 South Korean television drama series starring Sulli, Minho, and Lee Hyun-woo. It aired on SBS from August 15 to October 4, 2012 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at ...more

48

1,424 1,024

Marriage, Not DatingYeon Woo-jin, Han Groo, Jeong Jinwoon Marriage, Not Dating (tvN, 2014) is a South Korean television series. In an effort to get his parents off his back, a wealthy plastic surgeon (Yeon Woo-jin) brings a shop girl (Han Groo) home to ...more

49

827 763

wowww added The Greatest LoveYoo In-na, Gong Hyo-jin, Cha Seung-won The Greatest Love is a 2011 South Korean romantic comedy television series about true love in the fake world of entertainment. Starring Cha Seung-won, Gong Hyo-jin, Yoon Kye-sang and Yoo In-na, ...more

50

4,040 719

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (MBC, 2016) is a South Korean coming-of-age sports drama television series. A group of college athletes who are fighting for their dreams experience and find love ...more